Labor condemns Lidia Thorpe’s threat to ‘burn down Parliament House’
Labor has condemned independent senator Lidia Thorpe’s threat to “burn down Parliament House” in support of Palestinians.
The comments made at a pro-Palestine rally in Melbourne on Sunday sparked widespread backlash, including from the opposition which has said it would “consider options” to reprimand the crossbencher.
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek on Monday called Senator Thorpe’s words “absolutely irresponsible” as the world watches a ceasefire play out in Gaza.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.“We just don’t want give it extra air,” Ms Plibersek told Seven’s Sunrise.
Fellow cabinet minister Amanda Rishworth also slammed the comments, saying they were “clearly inappropriate”.
“People have the right to protest, but it must be done in a respectful way and of course, any comments that inflame violence and hatred are inappropriate,” she told Nine’s Today.
“I think if fighting can stop in the Middle East, we need to make sure that we are turning the temperature down here at home.
“And of course, people want to see the end of the violence and they don’t want to see tensions brought here into Australia.”
While addressing the rally in Melbourne on Sunday, Senator Thorpe compared the plight of Palestinians to that of Indigenous Australians.
“So we stand with you every day, and we will fight every day, and we will turn up every day and if I have to burn down Parliament House to make a point … I am not there to make friends,” she told the crowd.
She was met with roaring cheers of support from onlookers.
Appearing opposite Ms Rishworth on Monday, Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O’Brien said it was “a time for hope and peace and not for hatred protest”, referencing Hamas’ imminent release of all remaining Israeli hostages taken in the October 7 attacks in 2023.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing the latter,” Mr O’Brien said.
“These protests go against our values, which should be uniting Australians right now.
“They are completely inappropriate and they should be called out as such.”
Liberal senator Jane Hume went further, accusing Labor of not calling out Senator Thorpe.
“They treat her like some crazy relative at a Christmas party rather than taking the threats seriously – rather than taking her disrespect for the institution of the Senate and indeed the parliament seriously,” Senator Hume told Sky News.
“Now, the Coalition will consider its response, but to be honest, there’s more than 2000 people that work in Parliament House every day, and they have a right to feel safe in their workplace.”
More to come.
Originally published as Labor condemns Lidia Thorpe’s threat to ‘burn down Parliament House’
